In yet another blow to the high street three local Santander branches have been earmarked for closure.
Closure of the Armagh, Portadown and Dungannon branches have been announced as part of Santander’s plans to “update its branch network from June 2025 to better serve the changing needs of its customers”.
The move by the Spanish-owned banking company could see 750 jobs at risk of redundancy with a total of 95 branch closures to facilitate the changes to their network.
In a statement from the high street lender, they explain that the bank will be “changing the format of a number of branches to include 18 counter-free and 36 reduced hours branches, alongside its 290 full-service branches and five Work Cafés”.
For the 95 branches facing closure, the bank said: “These locations will be covered by new Santander Community Bankers providing face-to-face money management and general support for customers, visiting local communities weekly, as well as attending local Banking Hubs.
“The bank is also investing in more Work Cafés, with two new Work Cafés recently opened, and an additional site to be announced shortly.
“The Work Café concept, which Santander is rolling out globally, provides a hub for local communities and businesses, including co-working space, superfast WiFi and dedicated event space – which can be accessed for free by customers and non-customers alike.”
However, their announcement has been met with harsh criticism locally.
Speaking to the closure of the Portadown branch, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said: “This is a huge disappointment, particularly for elderly customers, businesses, and those who rely on face-to-face banking.
“While Santander claims more people are moving online, the reality is that many in our community still need in-person services.
“I know that Portadown Post Office will step up as they always do and support those who need face to face banking facilities, but this closure by Santander is yet another reminder of how high street banking is being eroded.
“I will be pressing Santander for answers on how they plan to support those affected. If you have concerns, please get in touch.”
Slamming the decision Newry & Armagh DUP Assemblyman William Irwin MLA said: “This is a backwards step and will not be welcomed by Santander customers who rely on this actual physical branch in Armagh City. I speak to a lot of people such as the elderly and those who find online banking and technology based banking transactions unsuitable for them, those customers will be deeply concerned by this announcement and the fact that they will have to travel much further for their banking needs.”
He continued: “Whilst obviously many people are comfortable with online transactions be that on their phone, tablet or desk top PC, there are many hundreds of people who do not use this method and the slow and steady closure of high street banking branches is a very negative development and Santander in Armagh City is the latest such example.
“I would ask that Santander reconsider this closure announcement and not proceed to make life much more difficult for customers for whom online transactions or travelling much further away for the money management is a significant difficulty.”
In Dungannon, Councillor Clement Cuthbertson shared similar sentiments calling the announcement “another blow for Dungannon Town Centre”.
In correspondence issued to the councillor, Andy Booth, Head of Customer Interactions at Santander UK said: “Our customers are continuing to change the way they manage their money.
“Many are choosing to use Mobile, Online and Telephone Banking more, and branches less. Across our network in the ten-week period leading up to 12 December 2024, branch transactions fell 21% compared with the same period in 2023. Over the past five years we have also seen a 63% increase in the number of transactions that customers choose to complete digitally, whilst we have seen a 61% reduction in branch transactions over the same period.
“Before deciding to close this branch, we reviewed the ways we serve our customers. We also looked at where our branches are located, how they’re used, and the other local banking options available.
“If you’d like more information about our review, copies of our Impact Assessment leaflets are available in branch. You can also get a copy online at santander.co.uk/uk/our-branches, or you can request a copy by calling us on 0330 678 2469. Copies are available in braille and large print formats. For details, visit santander.co.uk and search ‘accessibility’.
“Our customers will still be able to continue to visit any of our other branches, and use Mobile, Online and Telephone Banking to manage their money at any time. They can also use their current or savings account card to manage their account at an ATM or a Post Office®. If they don’t currently use these services, we can help them and offer individual support and guidance. We will also introduce new Santander Community Bankers to provide face-to-face support for customers in the community, as well as attending local Banking Hubs.
“We’re contacting personal and business customers who used this branch regularly between July 2024 and December 2024 to tell them about the closure, with details of our other services. We’ll also be contacting any customers with an increased vulnerability risk who have used this branch at least once in the same 6-month period.
“The Dungannon branch team will be there to support customers until the branch closes. Support will also be available in our nearby branch(es): 47 William Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 8AX and 10 Market Street, Omagh, County Tyrone, BT78 1EH.
“We want to continue to support our local communities. So, we’re working with LINK, to make sure that the right customer support and cash services are still available for customers after this branch closes. This might include Community Hubs, Community Bankers or Post Offices. For more information, and the option to place a community request for additional services, please visit our Access to cash page.
“We understand that our decision may affect some of our customers and welcome any views you have on how we can help make sure the financial needs of our customers in the community continue to be served.
“If you have any feedback or questions, please email us on publicpolicy@santander.co.uk.”
A spokesperson for Santander added: “Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimise the impact it may have on our customers. However, we believe that the introduction of our new Community Bankers and the exciting plans we have for our remaining network of 349 branches and Work Cafés, alongside the rapid and innovative improvements to our award-winning mobile banking app, will provide the right balance of digital banking and human interaction when required.”
Following the changes, 93% of the UK population will continue to be within 10 miles of a Santander branch. All Santander current and business account holders can also bank using one of over 11,000 Post Office branches nationwide and 112 Banking Hubs. Closing branches are all within one mile of the nearest Post Office.
To support the changes, Santander will be proactively contacting all potentially vulnerable customers by phone and will assist those customers of closing branches to find other ways to bank that best suit their needs, including help to find alternative branches and access digital, telephone and Post Office banking services. A dedicated phone number is available to provide customers with help and information on the closures (0330 678 2469).
Santander also remains committed to Cash Access UK and is present in the Banking Hubs across the UK, contributing towards the setting up and expansion of new Banking Hubs.
Approximately 750 colleagues would be placed at risk of redundancy if the proposals proceed after consultation with the unions has been completed. Support will be provided to those impacted colleagues, including assistance in finding redeployment roles within the bank, access to specialist outplacement support, and dedicated wellbeing support. A 24-hour Employee Assistance Helpline is also available for colleagues.
